Michael Stafstrom

MICHAEL STAFSTROM Michael Joseph Stafstrom, 69, of Henderson, passed away Nov. 28, 2011. He was born Sept. 30, 1942, in Seattle, and was an eight-year resident of Nevada. Mike Stafstrom affectionately known as "Sarge" by his friends was an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Air Force and a retired Berkeley, Calif. police sergeant who served 32 years for the department. After retiring, he moved with his wife, Nancy, to Henderson, and became a Henderson Police Department volunteer assisting in cold cases with the HPD Detective Bureau. Mike was an avid golfer and expert, if a little repetitive, joke teller. As a golf member of Anthem Country Club, "Sarge" was a stranger to none and a friend to all. He loved working with the Junior Golf Association of America and was an organizer and fundraiser for the annual event. Mike also worked for Ironman as part of the command center management team which allowed him to travel throughout the country for that dynamic sporting event. Mike's true passion was being a cop and fondly spoke about his time as the sergeant in charge of the Special Enforcement Unit/Drug Task Force for the Berkeley Police Department. Mike's wife of 41 years, Nancy, was his one true love. They enjoyed many years together camping, riding motorcycles, boating, water skiing, cooking prime rib and yorkshire pudding, but most of all raising their two daughters, Erica and Krista, and enjoying their five grandchildren, Jaxon, Rylie, Irelyn, Chase and Olivia. Mike lived a life of service and did so with honor, courage and integrity. He was a compassionate leader, thoughtful teacher, protector of the weak and friend to all. To his family he was husband, dad, brother, and most of all, he was Papa. He was preceded in death by his father, Mickey O'Neill; his adopted father, Everett Stafstrom; and mother, Olive Stafstrom. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Stafstrom; sister, Carole O'Neill-Rosenberg; daughters, Erica Bozarth and Krista Stafstrom; son-in-law, Jeb Bozarth; grandchildren, Jaxon Bozarth, Rylie Bozarth, Irelyn Bozarth, Chase Hett-Stafstrom and Olivia Bozarth; and his two ever loyal and always hungry dogs, Talullah and Ozzie. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 5, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2300 Sunridge Heights Parkway, Henderson, NV 89052. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.